Rocket firing tube



' m 1946. w. J. TURNBULL ET AL 2,398,871

ROCKET FIRING TUBE Filed April 30. 1943 2 Sheets-Sheet l FIGURE.

IN VEN TOR.

WILLIAM J TORNBLJLL April 9 1945- w. J. TURNBULL ET AL 23,71

ROCKET FIRING TUBE Filed April 50, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

ZQOOOO WILLIAM J. TURNBLJLL.

N MKDOFm y WERNER BUCHAL ATTC NEY I provision of a tubes adapted to be attached to aircraft, par- BOCKET 1 x g. in

William 3.

Parkville,

Turnbnll, Towson, and Werner Bnchal, Md, assignors to The Glen L. r-

tin Company, Middle River, Md... a corporation of Maryland Application April 30, Serial No. 485,12d

This invention relates to the adaption of novel oilensive armament to aircraft.

In the current development of oifensive armament, a rocket-propelled projectile has been designed that has a devastating efiect on a target at about 1000 yard range. The projectile itself forms no part of this invention.

The present invention has for its object the cluster of plywood rocket-firing ticularly the under side of an airplane wing. The tube cluster is so attached that after the rockets have been fired from the tubes, the tube cluster may be jettisoned downwardly and rearwardly from its mount to fall clear of the wing.

Another object of the invention is the provision of structure for readily attaching the tube cluster to the mount that is attached to the under side of the wing of the airplane.

Further and other objects will become apparent from the description of the accompanying drawings which form a part of this disclosure and in which like numerals refer tolike parts.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows the tubes secured to the. under side of an airplane wing.

Figure 2 is a sectional view through the wing showing the tubes and mount in elevation.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tube cluster. Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of the latching device.

The medium bomber shown in Figure 1, has a cluster of tubes I mounted under each wing I in such a position that the projectiles from the tubes pass well outside the propeller circle.

For projectiles of approximately 4 inches in diameter and 24 inches long, the tube length may range from 8 to 1-3 feet long, the latter being the optimum length.

The tube cluster, shown in Figure 2, is attached to the wing 2 by means of a mounting structure 3. The mounting structure consists of a block of streamlined planform, the upper surface of which is adapted to conform with the contour of the under side of the wing for mounting thereon. This mounting block may be of wood or plastic material. The mounting block contains two holes I and d directed downwardly and rearwardly of the wing and also a. latching The tube cluster shown in Figure 3, consists of three plywood tubes 6 bonded together into a. unitary structure bywrapping B. To the top of the wrapped tube cluster issecured a mounting plate 5 which has two pins 9 and i0 inclined to fit into the holes in mounting member 3. The rear pin has on the end thereof, a multi-pronged plug adapted to cooperate with a socket in hole is put in place by 8 thus providing the electrical circuits for selectively firing the tubes. Pin ii is secured in mounting plate 6.

. Figures 4 and 5 show the catch mounted in member 8 that engages pin Ii of the tube cluster. Hook member l2 normally in the position shown in Figure 4, is held in this position by spring i3. Handle It extends on the outside of member 3 to afiord a means for holding hook l2 in the position shown in Figure 5 until the tube cluster is in place. Cable 85 affords a release of the catch actuated from within the fuselage whereby the tube cluster may be released from the mount.

The tubesmay be put in place on the bracket, for bore sighting and any adjustments made in the mount for alignment.

The tubes are normally loaded with theproiectiles' and the firing circuits connected before being attached to the airplane although they may be loaded in place. The loaded tube cluster sliding the posts) and It into sockets I and 8, the firing circuit being completed through plug l8. A safety switch is provided in the firing circuit to prevent inadvertent firing.

The projectiles are fired by the electric circuits from some remotepoint. When it is desired to release the cluster, the cable It unlatches the hook i2 from pin Ii andgthe tube cluster moves downwardly and rearwardly of the wing. The tubes are ope at both ends due to the fact that the projectil s are rocket-propelled and the air pressure in the tubes assists the downward,

" rearward motion of the tubes upon release.

As set. forth, above,- the tubes merely form a guide to direct the projectiles in a predetermined direction. Since they experience substantially unbalanced force in the tube, plywood is sum- 7 cient for the purpose and has the added advantage of being an expendable material. The wrapping of three in a bundle, forming a unitary structure, increases the strength and rigidity of the cluster so that after the installation has been. aligned by bore sighting. the aim will not be disturbed in normal use. It is important to have the muzzle ends of the tubes terminate in the same plane so that the projectile will not experience any unbalanced side thrust as it leaves the ends of the tube.

It is to be understood that. certain changes, alterations, modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

2 Q: I assess:

We claim as our invention: 1. In combination an airplane wing, a rocketiiring tube cluster extending longitudinally of the airplane under said wing, a supporting bracket for said. tube cluster to releasably secure said cluster on the wing. said supporting bracket holda ing the tube cluster in spaced relation to the under side or said wing, guide-means tor mount-1 ing said tube cluster on said supporting bracket, said guide means so arranged that, upon release, said tube cluster will be projected downwardly and rearwardiy of said wing.

2. In combination an airplane wing, a rocketiiring tube cluster extending longitudinally of the airplane under said wing, a streamlined supporting bracket narrow relative to said tube cluster to hold said tube cluster in spaced relation to the under side of said wing. guide means I for mounting said tube cluster on said supporting bracket, said guide means arranged so that upon release, said tube cluster will be projected downwardly and re'arwardly of said wing.

3. In combination an wing having control sin-laces along the trailing edge. a rocketunder said wing, said supporting bracket holding the tube cluster so spaeed relative to the wing that the. tubes will not interfere with the flow oi air under the wings nor the operation of said 7 control surfaces; said brackets also maintaining said tube cluster aligned with the flight attitude of the airplane wing. uide means for mounting said tube'cluster on said suppo means,-means to releasably secure said tube cluster on said suppo said guide means arranged so that upourelease, said tube cluster will be projected downwardly and rearwardly of said wing.-

WILLIAM J. TURNBUIL.

WERNER BUCHAL. 

